Geek Ireland Meets the Director and Cast of Black 47

After wowing fans and critics alike at the Berlin Film Festival, Black 47 had its Irish Premiere here in Dublin as the Opening Gala for the Audi Dublin International Film Festival. I was on the red carpet to meet director Lance Daly and actors James Frecheville, Barry Keoghan, Moe Dunford, Stephen Rea and Freddie Fox, all of whom were mesmerised by my Darth Vader jumper. Here’s what they had to say.

First up was Lance Daly and Stephen Rea.

Lance and Stephen, as I’m sure you’re both aware, Black 47 marks the first film set during famine time. From a directing and an acting point of view, does that add an immense sense of responsibility to the project?

Lance: Well, I think I just put a lot of pressure on my own shoulders, you know, because I was just so aware of how important a story it was. And also, the reason I never wanted to make a film about the north or about the Catholic church, because I really just felt, unqualified in comparison to other people who are just that little bit older and had lived through it. So I felt like I could tackle this because, well nobody was there and it still informs a lot of us, you know, how we think and live now. But yes we were all very aware of the responsibility because it hadn’t been explored before in cinema so if you’re going to be the first one out of the traps then you better do it right.

Stephen: The thing for me is, and why I think the movie works is, my character Conneely, he’s a survivor. So that’s what I’m working with. I wasn’t working with being a famine victim in the general way. Everyone in the film has a purpose and a function, in order to get through this terrible life, this terrible moment in time and that’s what interests me. That’s what life is. Like when all these people come out of places like Libya and are trying to get across the Mediterranean Sea, they’re all trying to get something for their children; they’re all trying to get somewhere aren’t they? They’re trying to change things. So it’s not just about the ghastly moment of famine, it’s about the people living through that.

Next, I was chatting to Barry Keoghan and Freddie Fox who immediately commented on the Star Wars top.

Barry: I love your top!

Thank you, I had to represent the Geek brand you know?

Freddie: Good choice.

Considering you’re both from different countries, Barry from Ireland and Freddie you’re from the U.K., what attracted you both to the film? And Barry I’d assume you’d know a bit more about the Famine than Freddie did going into it.

Barry: I did yeah and actually, I play a Liverpool lad in the film so I wasn’t really selling it from an Irish perspective. Lance I know has worked so hard to get this story, a story that hasn’t been told before in this way, so I had a lot of faith in Lance. So that was the attraction for me.

Freddie: Yeah, I have to echo Barry there but also, when you know Hugo Weaving is in the movie, Jim Broadbent and Stephen Rea are in the movie, Barry’s in the movie, you do sort of think to yourself that maybe I shouldn’t turn this one down (laughs).

And Freddie, would you say your character is a bit more like the villain of the piece?

Freddie: I wouldn’t call him a villain as such, but if you look at it from just a 2D perspective then yes he is the villain. He’s on the wrong side of history in this particular instance, but also, he’s a soldier who’s seeking advancement, and he takes his job very, very seriously. But, like with all the other characters in the movie, he ends up with a great deal of pain. Nobody comes out of it black or white, right or wrong, they all come out human and, well broken.

Talk about a good character arc! Before I let you go I do have to ask: Barry – any word on Nightwing yet?

Freddie: Oh man if he doesn’t get that part then there is no justice in the world, haha.

The costume is amazing – you should break it out for Comic Con.

Barry: Ah, we’ll have to wait and see on all fronts I’m afraid.

Our next cast member stopping by for a chat is Australian actor James Frecheville.

James, as an Australian, how did it feel joining a film, very much embracing Irish history?

James: Oh it was wonderful. I have Irish family I discovered recently, from Kinnegad – I thought it was all Scottish and Welsh. It’s a big part of history for a lot of people here and in the Commonwealth, because it’s how we got there, haha. I’d worked in Ireland in 2015 and it was a real joy to work with Hugo and Stephen, and to learn what a Moe Dunford is! But yeah it was hugely rewarding to be involved in a project like this.

And what was it about Feeney that attracted you to the role?

James: Initially it was kinda of….the violence and the bash and crash aspect of it all. But it was lovely to play an archetype type of role and someone who was so shameful of his history and lonely. And the idea of someone returning home, after a long time and not knowing what home is anymore. For me there was a big responsibility to get it right for the Irish people and I worked really hard at it so I hope everyone enjoys it.

Last but by no means least, is Moe Dunford.

Moe: We know each other already.

Well remembered Moe, haha. I feel like we should just reserve a special seat for you at ADIFF for either the opening or closing Gala of the festival from now on as it’s two in a row for you now. Are you proud of that?

Moe: Ah yes, I was here last year with Handsome Devil and I was really proud of that and yes it’s great to be back. I’m very proud of both films.

You were also able to bring Black 47 back to the Berlin Film Festival after your successful turn with Patrick’s Day and winning the Shooting Star award. How was that for you? It must have felt great.

Moe: I actually just ran into my agent who was there with me in Berlin three years ago and he just reminded me of all that actually. I was reminded of that fact while I was there too, and you know, three years can pass so quickly and I wanted to do was be in a film that was in some way, recognised on the world stage. And then I was recognised in Shooting Stars. In the three years I’ve done different kinds of work, like in film and a TV series, but to be part of an Irish movie (and I grew up on movies like Michael Collins and Wind That Shakes the Barley), to be part of an Irish movie that tells an Irish tale that hasn’t been told before, with a cast of this calibre, and be on that same red carpet I was on a few years ago – it was everything. I was a little boy again.

That’s so great to hear. And you touched on it there that this is an Irish tale that’s never been told. Did you feel any pressure from that fact during filming?

Moe: I was aware of it but you can’t play that. It won’t do you any good. It’s all a human story. You know, I’ve been involved with a few historical things (just a few like), and I was certainly aware of that, but you can’t play that. It’s not useful to you. We’ve been asked that a few times actually and, I describe it as – The Famine is the backdrop of the movie. Yes it’s the first movie of its kind, but the focus is the people; A ranger, his plight, revenge. Ireland and the locations make for such a great western, and I’m very proud to have been part of a story set around that time. I also know that it may be the first, but I hope that this is the first of many.

I don’t doubt that it will. Enjoy your night and I’m sure I’ll see you next year.

Moe: Yeah wear that jumper I’ll definitely remember. I’m a bit of a Geek myself so I love it.

Black 47 doesn’t have an official Irish release date as of yet but judging by the critics responses so far, one isn’t too far away. Stay tuned.

Geek Ireland Chief of Operations, Film and TV enthusiast who is a Disnerd in every sense of the word: Animation, Pixar, Live action, Marvel and especially, Lucasfilm lover. Also be warned - don't talk to her before she's had at least 1 cup of tea....for your own safety.